Vol. 513 No. 6
301 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the situation where general practitioners can sell prescribing data to pharmaceutical companies who may in turn use it to target their future prescribing; and the impact, if any, this will have on the General Medical Services (Payments) Board's costs. [3202/00]
I have been informed by the health boards and GMS (Payments) Board that they are not aware of general practitioners engaging in the practice referred to in the Deputy's question. I should add that pharmaceutical companies are fully entitled to engage in legitimate market research activities aimed at meeting market needs. However, where doctors or other health professionals assist in such market research they must always adhere to their relevant ethical and professional standards.
